Pluralism and Civil Exchange

Speaking with, not past, one another

In recent years, authoritarianism, identitarianism, socialism, nativism, and a host of other populist movements have been on the rise in our nation and around the world. Whether on the right or the left, these manifestations of illiberalism make it difficult to exchange ideas and coexist with our fellow citizens across deep ideological divides—and we are the poorer for it. To defend the freedom of expression, tolerance, and mutual forbearance that are essential to a free, open, peaceful, and thriving society, the Mercatus Center launched its Program on Pluralism and Civil Exchange.

The program is reengaging the ideas at the root of a liberal society and inspiring a fresh generation of thinkers and doers. For, as F. A. Hayek put it, “If old truths are to retain their hold on men’s minds, they must be restated in the language and concepts of successive generations.” The Program on Pluralism and Civil Exchange is restating and reclaiming these old truths through a range of initiatives that include the following:

· new visiting fellows in liberalism at Mercatus

· a Pluralist Lab to develop a community of committed liberals (including academics and nonprofit leaders) from across the philosophical spectrum to share insights and workshop ideas for advancing pluralism

· demonstrating and developing tools for pluralism via structured events in the Pluralist Lab that allow students and experts from across different ideological perspectives to interact and practice civil discourse and mutual forbearance

· a podcast series that features conversations with scholars and experts on the origins of liberalism, current threats to liberal values, and ideas for fostering a more liberal and pluralistic ethos in society

· provision of programming to university center leaders on approaches to facilitate pluralism in the classroom and through university center engagements

· partnerships with other university centers and enterprises to undertake joint work, symposia, conferences, and salons to learn different perspectives and attempt solutions

Learn more about the work of the Program on Pluralism and Civil Exchange below.